Happy Easter Everyone!!! He IS Risen...

We had a nice family day yesterday... We went to my Uncle's church in the morning for the worship service. We had a quiet afternoon at home. In the evening we went over to Nana and Papa's house for a lovely Easter dinner. Thanks so much! Uncle Robin, Aunt Gwen, Mary and Leah were able to come for dinner. We had a great time together. It was nice that Scott was able to come home for the weekend... Shawn is driving him back to Ottawa this afternoon. His jury has been changed (again) to May 4th. Prayers would be appreciated.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Heaven and earth in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia!

- Charles Wesley "Christ The Lord is Risen Today"

Palm Sunday and The Past Couple of Days

Today is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. It was a beautiful Mass today. At the beginning of the service Father Lindsay had us all come to the back of the Church for the Blessing of the palms before distributing them.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3

Work has been going very well. I have been working 2 days a week for the past month now. I am working 3 days this week. I am really enjoying working at The Granary... there is always something new to learn!

My cousin Mary picked me up from work on Friday... we went out for dinner and I spent the night with her at their house in Barrhaven as her family was away for the night. It's so nice having them closeby...

We watched the film "Tangled" together... If you love all the Disney princess films you will enjoy "Tangled".

Scott finished his final exam on Friday. He came home for a few days this weekend. He will need to go back for a few days to do his music jury on April 26th. Please pray that it goes well.

Also, if you could please pray for me on Wednesday morning as I take my G2 road test.

Have a great week everyone! God bless.

Please Pray...

... for Mom and Dad as they travel back home tonight. They will be getting in quite late. Please pray that they are not too tired and that everything goes smoothly.

Dinner Conference, Scott's Concert, Tea Dance and More!

Last Thursday, my boss called and wondered if I would like to come to a dinner conference in Ottawa with her that evening. It was a very nice buffet dinner. While we were eating, a naturopath gave a talk for Natural Factors (a natural supplement company) about some of their latest products. It was nice to learn more about what I am selling! Friday night was Scott's last concert of the year with the OUO (Ottawa University Orchestra). Shawn and I went early to save seats for Mom, Dad, Nana and Papa. Uncle Robin and my cousin Leah were able to come as well. Dad had been in Toronto for the last part of the week. He drove home Friday afternoon, had dinner and then drove Mom, Nana and Papa into the concert. Busy day. The orchestra played a very long piece, "Brahm's German Requiem". There was a large choir of close to 120 people. There was two vocal soloists performing as well. It was a great concert. I'm so glad we were all able to go.

This afternoon, the last tea dance of the season was held at the Almonte Town Hall. The Women's Institute always does the tea, sweets and sandwiches for the dances. I went to work with another lady this afternoon. There was lots of people out today to dance. It's fun to watch all the different couples dancing.

This past week I finished my e learning! I only have two more driving lessons before I can take my G2. I am looking forward to having all this done... and being able to just drive. I booked my test this week for April 20th. Please pray that everything goes well and that I'm not too nervous...

I have started another blog, Quotes about Life, Love and Faith. Some of you may have noticed the link on my sidebar. It's a place that I can put all the quotes that I find. Feel free to go over and take a look!

Also Shawn just started a blog A Gentleman's View. Go over and take a look! Have a wonderful week everyone!

A Week Of Joy And Sadness

40 days of Lent officially started on Ash Wednesday. Andy's funeral that day made Lent seem more real. Dying to ourselves. Alive in Christ! Our church had an Ash Wednesday Mass in the evening. Dad was travelling from Windsor to Toronto that night. He stopped at the cathedral in London for Mass. We are glad to have him home!

My cousin Mary (blue coat) called on Thursday to see if I could visit on Friday. We spent most of the day together and then had supper with Aunt Gwen, Uncle Robin, Mary and Leah. It's great to have them here. Dad picked me up on his way home from Toronto... well kinda on the way home...



Mom, Shawn and I are part of an initiative in our Parish to get the children, youth and young adult ministries planted with a solid base. Shawn and I were at a youth leader and youth workshop in the city last night. We met some great people there. It was nice to hear different ideas and what works in the nearby Parishes. Dad's head of the Property Committee at church. The plans are moving forward to address the office and rectory needs and the washrooms in the church.These are big building projects that they are hoping to have completed by the fall.

We all miss having little Alexia at our house during the week... Please pray for her Mom, Leah, as she is due to have another baby in the next week or so.

Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty.

- William Shakespeare

Noah Update: Good News!

This was an email that was sent to my Mom-

Hi Sally,

Thank you so very much for praying for dear Noah. The Lord has most assuredly inclined His ear toward you and the others who've been praying, and has granted us our petition.

Noah is indeed home! He was discharged from the hospital on Monday. Imagine? A six hour major brain surgery on Thursday, home on Monday morning!! To God be all glory, honour and praise!!

He is doing amazingly well. Yesterday, I hear, he walked down to their barn and has been enjoying the WII Fit his brother bought as a physio tool. His swelling has reduced considerably and his healing has been taking place at a remarkable rate.

Please send the photos to me. I've already prepared 3 poster boards full of photos and comments, and am working on the fourth. The first three have already been delivered to their family. If you know of others who've been praying, please ask them to send along photos as well. Seeing the faces of the precious saints who've undertaken on their behalf has blessed them so very much.

Warmly,
Debbie


An update about Noah:

Thank-you for praying - please pass this around,

Sally H.


I received an email but it was a bit unclear about which day it was - I think the email went out Monday. Noah is walking in the hallways - only hooked up to a heart monitor and eating well. A final P.S. at the bottom of the email indicated that they had just heard from Steven (Noah's Dad) and Noah is going home - from what I can gather that would be maybe Monday or Tuesday. I'm really not sure exactly. Praise God! Thank-you for all of your prayers. This very serious surgery was just last Thursday. I know he has a lot of healing left to do but what a wonderful blessing if he can continue healing at home. Their home is not near the hospital so this will be another blessing for them. If you are able, "Debbie Y" is collecting photos and notes from people who would like to bless Noah in this way. Noah and his family has asked that they would like to see who the prayer "warriors" have been that have been praying. Joanna-Lynn (Noah's Mom) said that their family would like to pray for you too!! Debbie's email is: pauldeb@xplornet.com

P.S. I have since received word from Debbie and she has kindly updated me and sent along pictures of Noah as well.

Sally

Update On Noah

Thank-you for your prayers. I will send more updates as they become available.

Sally H.

Here is a quick update on 16 year old Noah. Thank-you for your prayers and for spreading this need around so others could pray too.

Noah is doing well for the delicate surgery he had. The surgery ended up being almost 8 hours which was longer than they anticipated but the doctors were able to do everything they wanted which going into the surgery they were uncertain about. They were able to deal with the veins and knew going in would be removing part of his brain. They were also able to remove the aneurysm. The surgery was Thursday morning and they had him stand and speak on Friday morning (very briefly). He appears to be doing well. He has been given lots of medication to keep him quiet so he is able to keep healing. He seems to be remembering and the doctors are optimistic. He had a small seizure which they are hoping is from the shock to the body from this surgery or from the medication which was first given to him on Thursday night. Please continue to pray for him and his family and that there would be no more seizures. Noah's family is very grateful for the prayers of God's people. We will give updates when possible.

Please Pray

This request went out from my Mom this morning....

Hello everyone,

A family we know that lives in the Lanark, Ontario area their son is having a very serious surgery today. Two days before Christmas 2009 he almost died when they found out he had serious complications(since birth) that this surgery today is dealing with. He is a wonderful young man with eight siblings.

Please pass this around. This was sent out last night by our local homeschool group.

Sally H.

Subject: 16 Year Old Noah's Brain Surgery Is Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Noah's brain surgery, so I'm coming to remind you of his tremendous need of prayer.

The surgery is extremely risky. There is so much at stake...his life, his ability to reason, to speak, to walk, his terrific personality... The surgeons have to go very deep into his brain to deal with the two jumbled masses of veins, as well as an aneurysm. The surgeon has told Noah's parents that he's not a "cowboy", indicating that he will do all he can, but won't do more than he's able, which could possibly mean some of the problems may not be able to be addressed - although he'll do his best.

Noah has given all of his worldly goods to his siblings. Please pray that there'll be a need to return them to him.

He must be at the hospital in Ottawa tomorrow at 6:30, with surgery beginning around 8:30.

Their best guess is that it will take about 4-5 hours. I'll update you all as I'm able. And thanks so much for taking Noah's needs before the Lord our God.